FLAGGER FORCE URGES ALL MOTORISTS TO STAY ALERT. STAY ALIVE.

National Work Zone Awareness Week Kicks off Official Construction Season with Vital Safety Messages

Flagger Force Traffic Control Services joins the nationwide movement to bring awareness to work zone safety during National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), April 9-13, 2018. NWZAW is an annual spring campaign organized by American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) to encourage safe driving through work zones.

“We share our Safety-Driven passion every day of the year, especially during NWZAW, by encouraging motorists of the importance to “Stay Alert. Stay Alive.,” says Mike Doner, executive vice president, COO, and co-founder of Flagger Force. “Motorists need to put their phones down and pay attention to what is going on around them. They are not only putting themselves at risk, but also other drivers and the workers who are working diligently to improve the infrastructure in our communities.”

According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, 683 fatal crashes occurred in work zones, nationally, in 2016. The Federal Highway Administration reports in 2016 that roughly 85 percent of work-zone fatalities are travelers, not workers. Distracted driving and speeding primarily cause these fatalities.

To underscore the importance of work zone safety in Philadelphia, PECO will illuminate the Crown Lights in orange from April 9 – 11. Doner added, “We are grateful to PECO for helping us to bring greater attention to this important safety message for all Philadelphians.”

Flagger Force is committed to educating drivers and workers about the hazardous conditions in work zones. Radio public service announcements will air throughout the company’s footprint and social media posts, focused on safety awareness, can be found on its YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook channels. These safety messages urge drivers to:

Slow down;

Avoid distractions such as texting and driving; and

Obey all posted signage.

Additionally, the company will partner with several departments of transportation at press events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

The NWZAW kick-off event will be held in Illinois on April 10 at the Jane Byrne Interchange Reconstruction Project in the Chicago metro area with the theme of “Everyone is Responsible for Safe Work Zones.” For more information about the event, please visit NWZAW.org.

To learn more about Flagger Force and their support of NWZAW, visit: FlaggerForce.com.

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Is fire hot or cold?

Employees who miss a phone call for next day work must call back within two (2) hours or within two (2) hours of the end of a job. Employees on “first call” (6 a.m.–10 a.m. daily), must call back within 30 minutes.

Any reasonable “unable to reach” would not count. Exceptions include:

Verified hospitalization

Other HR-approved reason

Any reasonable refusal does not count. These include:

Distance requested to drive is greater than 30 miles as the crow flies.

Requested work that would require over 16 straight hours on duty.

Requested work that would require over 16 hours in a 24-hour period.

Refusals on the ITZ app do not count and are not tracked. The ITZ app is not an official means of communication for confirming/refusing jobs.

Reasonable call offs are:

Employee has a medical emergency for themselves or immediate family member (spouse, child, parent) if documentation from health care provider is provided within 48 hours of the date of call off.

Employee has a personal vehicle emergency if documentation from roadside response or mechanic is provided within 48 hours of the date of call off.

The prior confirmed assignment would require over 16 straight hours on duty.

The prior confirmed assignment would require over 16 hours in a 24-hour period.

Follow the traffic standards

Follow the Flagger Force training and policies

Ask questions if you are unsure about anything. Contact your field manager, area supervisor, field specialist, quality specialist, or instructor.

Slow down, take your time on the job to pay attention to details.

Here are some tips to improve your on-time arrival score:

Leave at least 15-minutes earlier than your GPS says to allow time for traffic

Go to sleep the night before a job at a decent hour

Pack your required materials for the next day the night before so you are prepared

Consider the following:

Perform a thorough and comprehensive circle of safety each and every time

Slow down and do NOT speed

Prepare your route ahead of time

Leave early giving yourself extra time

Be patient and expect the unexpected

Do not tailgate

Leave plenty of room ahead of your vehicle

Be aware of what is around your vehicle

Be patient and expect the unexpected

Do not drive distracted

Pull over to use your phone before texting or placing or receiving a call

Set your GPS before you leave for your destination

Text or call after you pull over or arrive, IT CAN WAIT!

Always use a spotter if someone is available

Have your spotter get out of the vehicle to assist you

You should also get out and determine any hazards there may be

It only takes a minute before you act

Remember your 5 keys for SmithDriving System that you learned in class: